DASH

diet

1. the customary amount and kind of food and drink taken by a person from day to day.

2. more narrowly, a regimen of food intake planned to meet specific requirements of the individual, including or excluding certain foods. See also nutrition.

acid-ash diet a special diet prescribed to increase the acidity of the urine so that alkaline salts will remain in solution. The diet may be given to aid in the elimination of fluid in certain kinds of edema, in the treatment of some types of urinary tract infection, and to inhibit the formation of alkaline urinary calculi. Meat, fish, eggs, and cereals are emphasized, with little fruit and vegetables and no milk or cheese.

alkali-ash diet a therapeutic diet prescribed to increase the alkalinity of the urine and dissolve uric acid and cystine urinary calculi. This type of diet changes the urinary pH so that certain salts are kept in solution and excreted in the urine. Emphasis is placed on fruits, vegetables, and milk. Meat, eggs, bread, and cereals are restricted.

bland diet one that is free from any irritating or stimulating foods.

DASH diet (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products; low in saturated and total fats; low in cholesterol; and high in fiber. Research studies support the hypothesis that this diet reduces blood pressure and may play a role in prevention of high blood pressure.

elemental diet one consisting of a well-balanced, residue-free mixture of all essential and nonessential amino acids combined with simple sugars, electrolytes, trace elements, and vitamins.

elimination diet one for diagnosis of food allergy, based on omission of foods that might cause symptoms in the patient.

Feingold diet a controversial diet for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, which excludes artificial colorings and flavorings, preservatives, and salicylates. The national institutes of health consensus statement, Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, notes that exclusion diets like this are an area warranting additional research.

high calorie diet one that furnishes more calories than needed to maintain weight, often more than 3500–4000 calories per day.

high fat diet one that furnishes more than 35 per cent of its total calories from fats; see also ketogenic diet.

high fiber diet one high in dietary fiber (typically more than 24 g daily), which decreases bowel transit time and relieves constipation.

high protein diet one containing large amounts of protein, consisting largely of meats, fish, milk, legumes, and nuts.

ketogenic diet one that produces ketones or acetones, or mild acidosis, such as one that is low in calories with insufficient carbohydrate and protein; it is occasionally used in the treatment of epilepsy. See also low fat diet.

low residue diet one with a minimum of cellulose and fiber and restriction of connective tissue found in certain cuts of meat. It is prescribed for irritations of the intestinal tract, after surgery of the large intestine, in partial intestinal obstruction, or when limited bowel movements are desirable, as in colostomy patients. Called also low fiber diet and minimal residue diet.

protein-sparing diet one consisting only of liquid protein or liquid mixtures of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, containing no more than 600 calories; it is designed to maintain a favorable nitrogen balance. Such diets have been used in weight loss programs, but are used only rarely now, usually only in inpatient settings.

DASH

(dăsh)

n.

Dietary approaches to stop hypertension; a diet for lowering high blood pressure, emphasizing the consumption of foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium and high in fiber and protein, especially fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.

Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet

a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products; low in saturated and total fats; low in cholesterol; and high in fiber. Research studies support the hypothesis that this diet reduces blood pressure and may play a role in prevention of high blood pressure.

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